Davidson

Daniels captivates audience with stories

Palliser Regional Library hosted Aboriginal Storytelling Month events in Davidson and Craik Feb. 14. Visual artist, author and storyteller Carol Daniels uses a drum while singing a song for students at Davidson School.

DAVIDSON—Visual Artist Carol Daniels gave students at Davidson School the gift of a story on Feb. 14, sharing with them the traditional aboriginal custom of storytelling.

Her gift was given in the form of song, drumbeats and a story told in the oral tradition.

February is Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling month. As part of the celebration libraries throughout the province sponsored storytelling events, arranging for First Nations, Métis and Elders to visit libraries and schools to share their gifts.

In Davidson and Craik, Palliser Regional Library arranged for Daniels, an artist, singer and author of the novel “Bearskin Diary” to visit schools in the community.

At the beginning of the event, Victoria Martin, acting librarian for Davidson branch of Palliser Regional Library, offered Daniels a pouch of tobacco, placing it before her.

“The reason I was given tobacco is because that is what was traditionally done when someone comes and leaves something behind,” Daniels explained of the traditional offering to Elders so they may share their stories and knowledge.

“I will try to leave stories and songs behind.”

She asked students to place their hands on their hearts and to be quiet. She then picked up a drum and played a heart beat rhythm.

“Can you feel it?” she asked the children. “The heartbeat of the earth, which is what our hearts are and it runs through us all.”

She brought a collection of drums to the school, explaining the significance of different materials used to make the drum telling children to picture the animal as she played the beat.

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Davidson, Sports

Allan wins silver at Sask. Winter Games

Jackson Allan wears the silver medal he helped Team Prairie Central’s hockey team win at th eSaskatchewan Winter Games last week.

DAVIDSON—Davidson’s Jackson Allan won silver last Wednesday at the Saskatchewan Winter Games.

Jackson, 13, played forward on Team Prairie Central’s hockey team that played in the gold medal game against Team Saskatoon.

The city team won 6-4, although the loss was tough, Jackson said the experience of playing in the finals at the Saskatchewan Winter Games was a thrill.

“It was great. It was really exciting,” Jackson said.

Prairie Central was undefeated in round-robin play. The team beat Parkland Valley 11-0 in its first game of the tournament the morning of Feb. 19. In the afternoon, Prairie Central faced off against Team Lakeland, beating them soundly 6-2. The next day Prairie Central met Regina. This game was much closer with Prairie Central coming away with a 6-5 win.

Jackson’s ice time was limited in the game against Regina. He pulled a groin muscle in the game against Lakeland and as a result was suffering from the injury.

Jackson had high praise for the treatment he received from the athletic therapists at the Saskatchewan Winter Games. Thanks to massage therapy and yards of tensor bandage, he was able to play in the gold medal game against Saskatoon.

“It still hurt, but I didn’t want to miss that final game,” Jackson said.

Despite the injury, Jackson was a significant factor for Team Prairie Central, scoring two of the team’s four goals, including his team’s first goal of the game.

Davidson, Obituary

Leah Vanghel

September 12, 1925 – February 20, 2018

Leah passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2018. She was predeceased by her husband Fred Vanghel and son-in-law Joe Chamryk. She was survived by Fred and Jen, Don and Dot, Cork and Hazel, Terry and Julie, Barry and Laurie, Tom and Fran, Connie, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and special friend Urban McLaughlinn.

Leah loved gardening on the farm, having the grandchildren for the summer, visitors were welcome anytime for the afternoon, or to stay for supper. Family gatherings were one of her greatest joys.

She will be missed greatly by all, her family and friends alike.

The family would like to thank the staff at R.U.H. for care and compassion shown to Leah in her last hours.

A Celebration of Leah’s life will be held at the Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Davidson, Sask., on Saturday, February 24 at 11 a.m. Viewing and lunch will be held after the service. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.

Davidson, Obituary

Sinclair, John

John Angus Sinclair was born March 27, 1939 to Angus and Anne (nee McNeil) Sinclair at Davidson, Sask., and passed away peacefully at home in Davidson on February 18, 2018.

John was a heavy equipment operator lending his skills to the RM of Willner, a variety of road construction crews and implement dealerships where he delivered farm equipment.

John loved a good joke and visiting with friends and family in person or on the phone. He especially enjoyed catching up with everyone at Panda or Packet’s. He also loved a good auction sale, western novels, an action-filled rodeo and visits to Clear Spring Colony to visit with Dan and his family and reap the rewards of their harvest.

John was opinionated about many subjects but became especially passionate about the condition of the cemetery and about health care in and around Davidson. Over the years John had a number of health issues and received fabulous care from Dr. Lang and all the nursing staff at Davidson Health Centre.

John was predeceased by his parents Anne (1987) and Angus (2008). He leaves to mourn his sister Isobel Landin and niece Stacey (partner Yogi Weber) Landin, all of Moose Jaw. In respect of John’s wishes there will be no funeral service and interment will take place at a later date. The family wishes to thank Garth and Diane Schollar and Don and Karen Beckie for their support and an unending list of friends and family who cared about John.

Arrangements are in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home, Todd Lockwood, Funeral Director. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those wishing to make donations in John’s name may do so to the Davidson Cemetery Fund or the Davidson Health Trust Fund. Cheques for either are to be made to “Town of Davidson.”

Davidson

Residents offer shelter in cases of emergency

Back in 2013, a March 3 blizzard caused the 10-hour closure of Highway 11 between Davidson and Chamberlain. As a result, 150 to 200 stranded motorists had to wait out the storm in Davidson, filling the Town Hall and finding accommodations at billets in the community.

DAVIDSON—Perhaps it’s no big surprise that a community with a coffee pot as its symbol is home to hospitable people ready to open their homes to shelter people in need.

Davidson’s Emergency Management Organization (EMO) co-ordinator says this willingness to take in strangers in case of emergency is typical.

“To have so many people come forward, in this day and age, it’s amazing, but it doesn’t surprise me. That’s the kind of community we have,” Trish Schilling said of a request for volunteer billets.

The most recent batch of Davidson utility bills included a form from Davidson (EMO) looking for people to take in stranded travellers should the need arise. A typical case would be a highway closure due to a blizzard, as an example.

Davidson’s community hall serves as the main place of shelter after the local motels fill up.

However, if more accommodations are needed, then the town looks to the community for support.

As the EMO co-ordinator, Schilling says she keeps the list of billets and volunteers up-to-date. If numbers get low, then she puts out a call for more volunteers.

This recent request resulted between five and 10 new names added to the billeting list.

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Davidson

Ice & snow cause Valentine’s Day power failure

DAVIDSON—A build up of ice and snow at the SaskPower Davidson substation is what caused a Valentine’s Day power outage in Davidson and district.

At about 11 a.m., Feb. 14, according to SaskPower, the ice and snow caused a trip on the feeder to approximately 1,100 local customers.

SaskPower crew members de-iced the substation and had power restored at 11:55 a.m.

Fortunately temperatures were mild at the time, around 0° degrees Celsius, so the power outage didn’t have people freezing while their furnaces were down

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan